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About this project

Explore the meaning and joy of life with atheists in this book of photos and commentary. A Better Life: 100 Atheists Speak Out on Joy and Meaning in a World Without God, is a 200+ page, hardcover photography book featuring subjects both famous and not, including well known atheist/agnostic speakers, writers, and celebrities.

A few of the people who have agreed to be in the book:

Dr. Richard Dawkins, biologist/author

Sean Faircloth, speaker/author

Derren Brown, illusionist/mentalist

Alex Honnold, free solo rock climber

Dr. Steven Pinker, cognitive scientist/author

PZ Myers, evolutionary biologist/blogger

Dr. Daniel Dennett, philosopher/cognitive scientist

Dr. Lawrence M. Krauss, theoretical physicist/author

Matt Dillahunty, host of The Atheist Experience

Dr. Michael Shermer, founder of Skeptic Magazine/author

Rebecca Watson, blogger/speaker

Matthew Chapman, film director/writer

Julia Sweeney, comedian

Dr. Steven Novella, neurologist

Greta Christina, blogger/speaker

Chris Mooney, host of Point of Inquiry/author

Dr. Patricia Churchland, neurophilosopher

Dr. Carolyn Porco, planetary scientist

D.J. Grothe, president, JREF

Beth Presswood & Lynnea Glasser, Godless Bitches podcast

David Silverman, president, American Atheists

Hemant Mehta, blogger

Brian Dunning, host, Skeptoid podcast

Jessica Ahlquist, First Amendment hero

Roy Speckhardt, executive director, American Humanist Association

...and many more!

Each portrait will be paired with a short message from the subject about some aspect of joy, meaning or passion in life. It could focus on the love of a beautiful relationship, the joy of a rewarding career, the pleasure of a treasured pastime, the impact of a powerful experience, or any other topics.

The goal of the book is to dispel the common misconception that the lives of nonbelievers are somehow emptier or less meaningful. This idea is not only false, but harmful as well. It hurts those who are afraid to “come out” as an atheist because they’re scared what those close to them will think. I hope this book can reach out and serve as an inspiration.

The finished product will be a 9"x12", 200+ page, cloth-bound, hardcover, professionally printed photography book in full color on thick, #100 paper stock. I will be printing 5,000 copies of the book.

I’m planning to travel to over 25 cities in the United States, Canada, and the United Kingdom photographing these subjects in settings which reflect their personalities. The whole project will take roughly twelve months to complete.

If you are able to, please pledge to see that this project can become a reality. If you’re unable to pledge or in addition to your financial contribution, you can help spread the word!

FAQ

Studies show that atheists are one of the most distrusted groups in the United States. We are seen by many theists, among other things, as: immoral, untrustworthy, evil, satanic, and incapable of joy, purpose, or meaning in our lives without God. This book is a response to those ideas.

The bulk of the budget goes to print the 5,000 books (over 63% of the budget). The printing of high-quality professional photography books is expensive. Additional smaller funding amounts will go to the expense of traveling to 21 cities in three countries to photograph the subjects. Also, the cost of shipping the reward books, allowing me to take the time to produce this project, as well as the fees charged by Amazon Payments, Kickstarter, and tax all factor in to the final budget as well.

No. For some atheists, they feel that their lives are improved and better than they would be if they were theists. They feel that their lives are enhanced because of their atheism, but not that they are necessarily better people than theists.

At the moment, subjects for the book are on an invitation only basis, though certain pledge amounts include the ability to be featured in the book. Once the project is underway though, there will be additional ways to have the chance to be featured as a subject. Stay tuned on Facebook, Twitter, or the website for more information.

Yes. All those featured in the book would have to be atheists. This definition would include those who consider themselves agnostic or simply “non-believers” when it comes to the question of whether a God (or Gods) exists. So, both gnostic atheists and agnostic atheists are welcome.

You can receive a copy by donating at a reward level of $50 or more (with free shipping in the US). After the fundraiser is complete and the book produced, you will also be able to purchase the book from Amazon.com.

I would love to travel all over the planet to take these photos, but logistically and financially, that’s just not possible. If I receive more money than the budgeted goal, I could travel to more destinations. Stay tuned to the website/twitter for more information should that happen.

If you are able to, please donate to see that this project can become a reality. If you’re unable to donate or in addition to your financial contribution; you can help spread the word!Here are five ways you can help let others know about this project:1. If you can...donate!2. Email your friends asking them to check out this Kickstarter page or the website: www.theatheistbook.com.3. Share this Kickstarter page on your Facebook wall or Twitter.4. You can also share/repost the promotional videos, which you can find here: www.theatheistbook.com/videos.html5. You can also “like” us on Facebook at: www.facebook.com/theatheistbook

Rewards

Pledge $25 or more

Pledge $50 or more

Hardcover copy of the book, plus the downloadable PDF copy. (add $10 for international shipping)

Estimated delivery:Mar 2013

You selected

Pledge $100 or more

197 backers

Your name thanked in the book as a backer, plus a hardcover copy of the book, and the downloadable PDF copy. (add $10 for international shipping)

Estimated delivery:Mar 2013

You selected

Pledge $200 or more

68 backers

Three (3) extra copies of the hardcover book for you to give as gifts, your name thanked in the book as a backer, plus your hardcover copy of the book, and the downloadable PDF copy. (add $10 for international shipping)

Estimated delivery:Mar 2013

You selected

Pledge $400 or more

3 backers

A personalized "A Better Life" postcard mailed to you as a thank you, plus your name thanked in the book as a backer, a hardcover copy of the book, and the downloadable PDF copy. (add $10 for international shipping)

Estimated delivery:Mar 2013

You selected

Pledge $1,000 or more

5 backers
Limited (15 left of 20)

A souvenir oversized title page hand signed by all 100 subjects, plus a personalized "A Better Life" postcard mailed to you as a thank you, your name thanked in the book as a backer, a hardcover copy of the book, and the downloadable PDF copy. (add $10 for international shipping)

Estimated delivery:Mar 2013

You selected

Pledge $2,500 or more

8 backers
Limited (2 left of 10)

You or an atheist friend can be featured as a subject in the book (US, Canada, or UK only). Plus, the souvenir oversized title page hand signed by all 100 subjects, plus a personalized "A Better Life" postcard mailed to you as a thank you, your name thanked in the book as a backer, a hardcover copy of the book, and the downloadable PDF copy.

Estimated delivery:Mar 2013

Funding period

Feb 8, 2012 - Apr 8, 2012
(60 days)

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